FORENSIC experts are investigating after a 10 month-old baby was rescued from a blazing flat.

The fire, which police are treating as arson, destroyed the fourth-floor home at Covent Garden, Hillgate, in the early hours of New year's Day.

Three fire crews arrived to find the baby girl outside with a four year-old boy and a woman in her twenties, who had also both escaped.

Such was the intensity of the blaze that other flats in the block had to be evacuated.

An eyewitness told the Stockport Express: "An elderly lady was trapped in her flat and posted her keys through her letterbox so firefighters could let her out.

"But the flames had made the doorhandle so hot they could not hold it and were forced to kick the door down."

Paramedics treated residents for smoke inhalation while firefighters were at the scene for 10 hours.

Tony Hunter, from Greater Manchester Fire Service, said: "The amount of fire engines and the time taken shows the seriousness of the fire.

"It caused severe damage."

Police are now investigating the cause of the blaze and confirmed no one needed hospital treatment.

A police spokesman added: "A 23-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. She has been bailed until January 30 pending further forensic examinations."